Tabitha D. Carwile

Shane Babbs

JASPER CO., Ill. - The two who caused a huge contingent of law enforcement to converge in a swampy area of Lawrence County back in early December have been charged in Jasper County.

Following their unspectacular tomfoolery on December 11 that involved law enforcement from four counties starting in Richland and ending in Lawrence, Shane Babbs, 30, and Tabitha Carwile, 28, were charged in Richland County with initial counts of Residential Burglary.

However, the investigation turned up a little more to it...and the two were charged on January 4 with the first two felonies in Jasper County in 2017: Both of them with one count each of Class 2 Burglary.

Their misadventures are featured on page 12 of the current issue (January Special Edition), so if you don't have your copy yet, get out and get one or get clicking for e-Edition access. Both Babbs and Carwile remain jailed in Richland County, each of them facing a cash bond of $20,000, such a large sum owing to their extensive criminal history in several counties. Keep up with everything by picking up the next issue, on stands January 17 and 18.

CLAY CITY, Ill. - An incident that developed in Clay City Thursday morning has left a Clay County deputy in roughly the same boat as the sheriff in White County about a month earlier: His brother's locked up on a dope charge.

The situation came about Thursday, January 5, when at about 8 a.m., a number of law enforcement vehicles, including Clay County and Illinois State Police, converged on a trailer on Fourth Street South West in Clay City.

The trailer is the residence of Michael "Mick" Spitzner, 47, and his family.

Spitzner had apparently observed something going on, said folks in the area; he had parked his truck at the city's post office and ran to his house before everybody arrived, and effectively shut himself inside, even after law enforcement began pounding on the door.

But ultimately he was taken in and charged, likely from what was observed being toted out of the trailer, which included brown paper bags the type of which evidence is stored in.

At last check, he was sitting in jail in Louisville, charged with Possession of Meth less than 5 grams (Class 3 felony), and Manufacturing or Delivering Cannabis 10 to 30 grams (Class 4 felony).

Bond was set at $50,000 ($5,000 cash).

He's the brother of Clay County Deputy Steve Spitzner.

Bradley Maier

In the current issue, another area lawman has encountered a similar difficulty...White County Sheriff Doug Maier's brother Bradley of Crossville was arrested and charged in Richland County, and that matter is featured on the front page. Spitzner, similarly to Maier, has dealt with it before: Mick has a criminal history in Clay dating back several years, including a Class 2 felony Burglary which we covered in 2004.

We'll have more on the story in the upcoming print edition, so be sure you get out and pick up the current issue, so we'll have less to take off the stands a week from Tuesday, January 17, when we get the January-February edition out...and if you have an online membership to the e-Edition, be watching for that to hit Monday, January 16. If you don't have an online membership or would like to subscribe to the print edition, hit this link and get started...we truly believe you WON'T be disappointed.

EDWARDS CO., Ill. - A fire yesterday afternoon brought the home of a rural mail carrier to a complete loss.

Danny and Rebecca McVaigh's trailer in the village of West Salem was the scene of a fire yesterday afternoon (Sunday, January 8) at about 5:15 p.m.

The trailer was located on North West Street. Reports indicate that it took about a half-hour to get the blaze under control, but the home was a total loss.

No one was present when the fire broke out, and there were no associated injuries.

Danny is a rural mail carrier out of the Calhoun and Parkersburg post offices and has been for a number of year, since at least as long as we've owned property at our Calhoun address. When we resided there full-time, we saw him nearly every day. He and Rebecca have a lot of kids together; they were all very small when we first met the McVaighs in 2004, so most of them are probably out of the house now, but a few might still be in the area.

We've not had a chance to talk to either Danny or Rebecca, as we're out of the house today doing necessary running, but when we learn what they might need (and if any of you readers feel inclined to assist) we'll try to post. Be checking back frequently.

WHITE CO., Ill. - Two women were sentenced yesterday in White County Circuit Court, according to prosecutor Denton Aud.

Kimberly Windle

The first was Kimberly Windle, 26, of Albion, who entered a plea to her charge of Possession of Meth, a Class 3 felony dating back to early July of last year. In exchange for her plea, Windle received a sentence of 4 years DOC, to be followed by one year of MSR (mandatory supervised release, formerly known as parole). She was also ordered to pay all mandated fines, fees, costs, and assessments in the amount of $1,097, none of which have been paid.

Tina Murphy

The second woman was Tina Murphy, 43, of Carmi. She was sentenced on her Class 4 felony Retail Theft count that dated originally back to March of 2015. Aud noted that Murphy had previously been on probation; however, her probation was revoked with the new sentence entered. She received 3 years DOC and a year of MSR She was ordered to pay all previously ordered fines, fees, costs, assessments, and restitution in the amount of $1,082; $110 has been paid to date.

Tyce Wade

Ruby Wade

WABASH CO., Ill. - Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan has announced two arrests in a significant raid early this morning, January 10, 2017.

Morgan said that early this morning, at approximately 5 a.m., members of the Wabash County Sheriff's Office, Mt. Carmel Police Department, Southern Illinois Drug task Force and Illinois Police SWAT team served a search warrant and arrest warrants at 108 West Oak St. in Allendale. 

Taken into custody were residents Tyce L. Wade, 48, and Ruby A. Wade, 45.

During the early morning raid law enforcement found the Wades to be in possession of a substantial amount of methamphetamine along with other narcotics and numerous items of drug paraphernalia. Both Wades are charged with Aggravated Delivery of Methamphetamine. Bail on Tyce and Ruby Wade has been set at $500,000 each ($50,000 cash bond). Aggravated Delivery of Methamphetamine is a Class 2 Felony.

This is the result of a two-year investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine throughout Wabash and neighboring counties. The Wabash County Sheriff's Office would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to the Mt. Carmel Police Department, Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, and Illinois State Police SWAT Team for their assistance in the investigation.

The investigation continues and more arrests are anticipated. Methamphetamine remains a problem in our community and the Sheriff's Office is taking every step to combat this dangerous, life-altering drug.  

FLORA, Ill. - Chief John Nicholson releases the following information about activity in his police department:

Monday, January 2 at 2:38 pm, Flora Police arrested Nicole Logan, 36, of Flora for Domestic Battery, following an incident in the 700 block of East 3rd Street. Logan was transported to Flora Police Department for booking procedures and then transferred to the custody of Clay County Jail.

Monday, January 2 at 4:26 pm, Flora Police arrested Charles Mainer, 52, of Clay City for Driving While License Suspended and Operating Uninsured Vehicle, following a traffic stop in the 1100 block of North Locust Street. Mainer underwent booking procedures at Flora Police Department and was released with a Notice to Appear.

Wednesday, January 4 at 5:18 pm, Ginny Carter, 34, of Rinard was issued a Citation for No Valid Registration, following a traffic stop in the 100 block of West North Avenue.

Thursday, January 5 at 9:35 am, Michelle Lewen, 22, of Flora was issued a Citation for No Valid Registration, following a traffic stop on North State.

Thursday, January 5 at 10:28 am, Flora Police investigated an accident at the intersection of North Olive and East North Avenue, involving a 1994 Chevy operated by Tanner Prater, 18, of Louisville and a 2008 Nissan operated by Autumn Griffith, 24, of Flora. Prater was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid Accident and Operating Uninsured Vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Friday, January 6 at 4:03 pm, Jared Kollman, 21, of Louisville was issued a Citation for Operating Uninsured Vehicle, following a traffic stop in the 300 block of North Elm.

Sunday, January 8 at 2:45 a.m., Flora Police arrested Robin Payne, 59, of Rinard for Disorderly Conduct and Possession of less than 10 grams – Cannabis, following an incident in the 200 block of Austin Avenue. Payne was transported to Flora Police Department for booking procedures and was later released with a Notice to Appear.

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ill. - The city of Lawrenceville has issued their agenda for the upcoming meeting, scheduled for Thursday, January 17.

Scroll down to see...and get involved. Your community needs you.

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CLAY CO., Ill. - A brief Clay County Sheriff's report contains a couple of accidents that occurred last week when the bitterly-cold temperatures and wintry precipitation caused hazardous road conditions.

Sheriff Andy Myers released the following:

On January 5, the Clay County Sheriff's Office was notified of a motor vehicle accident at 9:15 a.m. south of the intersection of Hanging Rock Road and Cherrybark Lane. Apparently Benjamin Pierce, 21, Flora, operating a 2001 Ford truck, was traveling south on Hanging Rock Road and slowed for a 2008 Toyota, operated by Sally Millar, 51, Xenia, who had slid in the ditch, due to the icy conditions. Pierce then slid into the Millar vehicle. No injuries were reported.

On Jan. 6, the Clay County Sheriff's Office was notified of a motor vehicle accident at 12:50 p.m. north of the intersection of Gull Lane and Bobwhite Road. Apparently Lucinda J. Ervin, 63, Effingham, operating a 2015 Jeep
Wrangler was backing from a private drive and struck a northbound 2003 Mercury operated by Sherri Vogel, 49, Farina. Minor injuries reported.

On Jan. 7, Clay County Sheriff's Deputy cited Brock Giddens, 23, Flora, for Operation of Uninsured Motor Vehicle and Speeding. He was given a Notice to Appear and released.

EFFINGHAM, Ill. - Illinois State Police District 12 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt, today announced activity and enforcement figures for the month of December.

Troopers in District 12, which includes Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Lawrence, Marion, and Richland counties, answered 218 calls for service and initiated 1,473 
incidents in the field. 

In addition, enforcement figures totaled 646 citations and 583 written warnings, including 267 speeding citations, 9 DUIs, 155 seat belt citations, 4 child restraint citations, 194 written warnings for speeding, and 25 criminal arrests.

Troopers also assisted 290 motorists, conducted 301 Motor Carrier Inspections, and investigated 84 traffic crashes.

There were two fatal traffic crashes investigated by District 12 in December. 

During the month, 311 citations and 219 written warnings were issued for "Fatal Four" violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include Speeding, DUI, Failure to Wear a Seat Belt, and Distracted Driving.

RICHLAND CO., Ill. - Here's what the Richland County Board meeting agenda looks like for this coming Thursday, January 12, 2017.

Attend your local meetings. They're not boring if lots of citizens show up. If nothing else, it makes the boards nervous, which is entertaining to watch.

Scroll down to view.

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Be prepared....

ILLINOIS - We're the subject of another "take it easy when driving on icy roads" press release from Illinois State Police District 12 out of Effingham, and they're referencing another winter storm with a name: Jupiter.

Since we don't have TV service and catch most of our news on live feeds online - including weather - we apparently missed out on it when, a little more than five years ago, The Weather Channel started naming winter storms. This practice has only come to our attention maybe about a year ago. The State Police, however, apparently appreciate it, and they've issued a press release advising folks of this pending ice storm...which is predicted to carry on over three days. THREE DAYS, people. So please heed their warning, as they issue it here:

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From The Weather Channel

According to the National Weather Service, Winter Storm Jupiter is forecasted to arrive in District 12 counties, beginning Friday and continuing into Sunday. The winter storm is expected to bring a range of precipitation to the area, including ice accumulation. Illinois State Police (ISP) District 12 is reminding motorists to prepare now for the coming winter storm. 

Prior to Winter Storm Jupiter's arrival, ensure your vehicle's fuel tank is full, check tire pressure, pack a vehicle emergency kit and get 
supplies needed for home now, to avoid heading out on roads that have become treacherous with ice.

"Before heading out on the roads this weekend, check the current weather and road conditions. Then, consider if travel is necessary with those conditions in mind, said District 12 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt. 

"District 12 is making preparation now to handle the coming winter storm, we encourage Illinois residents to also prepare so we may traverse this winter storm safely together," added Captain Ristvedt.

Stranded motorists are encouraged to remain inside their vehicles, with safety belts fastened, while waiting for first responders to arrive, 
rather than standing outside of the vehicle. Motorists involved in accidents that do not require emergency assistance may file a crash report within 10 days at the nearest police station. 

Illinois State Police also want to remind motorists to move over for stranded motorists, tow operators, emergency response vehicles and snow removal equipment. Scott's Law (Move-Over Law) requires drivers to reduce speed, change lanes if possible, and proceed with due caution when approaching emergency vehicles. Further, a new law that took effect on January 1, 2017 will require motorists to slow down and move over for any disabled motorist exhibiting hazard lights. 

Other safety tips include: 
·      Make sure someone is aware of your travel route. 
·      Dress warmly - choose layers of clothing in anticipation of unexpected winter weather emergencies. 
·      Keep your gas tank at least two-thirds full to prevent the vehicle's fuel line from freezing. Plenty of fuel is also important if your 
vehicle becomes stranded. 
·      Don't crowd the plow - remember, a snowplow operator's field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you.
·      Watch out for black ice - roads that appear clear may be treacherous.Take it slow when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges, and shady areas - all are prone to black ice.
·      Have an emergency car care kit that contains jumper cables, a flashlight, a small ice scraper, blankets, gloves, food items, water, and a first aid kit. 
·      Carry a cell phone AND charger. 
·      Always wear a safety belt. 

Motorists are urged to check travel conditions before any trip. You may get interstate condition information by calling 1-800-452-IDOT (4368) or on the Internet at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. 

For additional winter travel information:
Like us on Facebook at Illinois State Police District 12 Effingham
Follow us on Twitter @ISPDistrict12
Instagram at ISP District 12

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For whatever reason, the line for this storm seems to be right through the middle of Central Counties, with Jefferson-Wayne-Edwards-Wabash being the divider. To the north, there are few hazardous weather alerts; most of them have to do with accumulation and rising river (counties in bold are in our readership area):

CLAY-CRAWFORD-EFFINGHAM-JASPER-LAWRENCE-RICHLAND
355 PM CST WED JAN 11 2017

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF EAST CENTRAL
ILLINOIS, SOUTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT...

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...

A PERIOD OF WINTRY PRECIPITATION WILL DEVELOP THURSDAY NIGHT
THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. A MIX OF SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING
RAIN WILL OCCUR BEFORE TRANSITIONING TO ALL RAIN BY SATURDAY
AFTERNOON. AN ACCUMULATION OF ICE IS LIKELY...ESPECIALLY FRIDAY
NIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING. STAY TUNED TO LATER FORECASTS FOR
ADJUSTMENTS TO PRECIPITATION TYPES AND AMOUNTS.

HEAVY RAINFALL OF 1 TO 1.5 INCHES COULD LEAD TO RIVER FLOODING
EARLY NEXT WEEK.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED THROUGH TONIGHT.

CHRISTIAN-CLARK-COLES-CUMBERLAND-LOGAN-MACON-MENARD-MORGAN-
MOULTRIE-SANGAMON-SCOTT-SHELBY-
355 PM CST WED JAN 11 2017

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
ILLINOIS, EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT...

NO HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS EXPECTED AT THIS TIME.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...

A PERIOD OF WINTRY PRECIPITATION WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY NIGHT
THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT. A MIX OF SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN
WILL OCCUR. AN ACCUMULATION OF ICE IS LIKELY...ESPECIALLY FRIDAY
NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT. STAY TUNED TO LATER FORECASTS FOR
ADJUSTMENTS TO PRECIPITATION TYPES AND AMOUNTS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED THROUGH TONIGHT.

CHAMPAIGN-DE WITT-DOUGLAS-EDGAR-PIATT-VERMILION-
355 PM CST WED JAN 11 2017

...DENSE FOG ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
ILLINOIS AND EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT...

AREAS OF DENSE FOG WILL PERSIST THROUGH LATE AFTERNOON.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY...

A PERIOD OF WINTRY PRECIPITATION WILL DEVELOP FRIDAY NIGHT
THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT. A MIX OF SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN
WILL OCCUR. AN ACCUMULATION OF ICE IS LIKELY...ESPECIALLY FRIDAY
NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT. STAY TUNED TO LATER FORECASTS FOR
ADJUSTMENTS TO PRECIPITATION TYPES AND AMOUNTS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED THROUGH TONIGHT.

To the south, there's this (counties in bold are in our readership area):

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
346 AM CST WED JAN 11 2017

ILZ075>078-080>094-INZ081-082-085>088-KYZ001>022-MOZ076-086-087-
100-107>112-114-121100-
JEFFERSON-WAYNE IL-EDWARDS-WABASH-PERRY IL-FRANKLIN-HAMILTON-
WHITE-JACKSON-WILLIAMSON-SALINE-GALLATIN-UNION-JOHNSON-POPE-
HARDIN-ALEXANDER-PULASKI-MASSAC-GIBSON-PIKE-POSEY-VANDERBURGH-
WARRICK-SPENCER-FULTON-HICKMAN-CARLISLE-BALLARD-MCCRACKEN-GRAVES-
LIVINGSTON-MARSHALL-CALLOWAY-CRITTENDEN-LYON-TRIGG-CALDWELL-
UNION KY-WEBSTER-HOPKINS-CHRISTIAN-HENDERSON-DAVIESS-MCLEAN-
MUHLENBERG-TODD-PERRY MO-BOLLINGER-CAPE GIRARDEAU-WAYNE MO-CARTER-
RIPLEY-BUTLER-STODDARD-SCOTT-MISSISSIPPI-NEW MADRID-
346 AM CST WED JAN 11 2017

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHERN
ILLINOIS, SOUTHWEST INDIANA, WESTERN KENTUCKY, AND SOUTHEAST
MISSOURI.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A FEW ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE TODAY AND TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY

ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE ON THURSDAY.

FREEZING RAIN AND A GLAZE OF ICE ARE POSSIBLE ACROSS PORTIONS OF
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI...SOUTHERN ILLINOIS AND SOUTHWEST INDIANA FROM
LATE THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY EVENING.

SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL AMOUNTS COULD OCCUR SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.
HOWEVER...THE EVENT WILL BE SPREAD OUT OVER SEVERAL DAYS. THIS
WILL LIKELY RESULT IN STANDING WATER IN LOW LYING AND POOR
DRAINAGE AREAS...ALONG WITH POSSIBLE RISES IN SMALL CREEKS AND
STREAMS.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION IS NOT ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME.

And then there's this special weather statement:

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PADUCAH KY
353 PM CST Wed Jan 11 2017

ILZ075>078-080>090-INZ081-082-085-086-MOZ076-086-087-100-107-
120930-
JEFFERSON-WAYNE IL-EDWARDS-WABASH-PERRY IL-FRANKLIN-HAMILTON-
WHITE-JACKSON-WILLIAMSON-SALINE-GALLATIN-UNION-JOHNSON-POPE-
GIBSON-PIKE-POSEY-VANDERBURGH-PERRY MO-BOLLINGER-CAPE GIRARDEAU-
WAYNE MO-CARTER-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF MOUNT VERNON, FAIRFIELD, ALBION,
MOUNT CARMEL, PINCKNEYVILLE, WEST FRANKFORT, MCLEANSBORO, CARMI,
CARBONDALE, MURPHYSBORO, HERRIN, HARRISBURG, SHAWNEETOWN,
JONESBORO, VIENNA, GOLCONDA, FORT BRANCH, PETERSBURG, POSEYVILLE,
EVANSVILLE, PERRYVILLE, MARBLE HILL, CAPE GIRARDEAU, JACKSON,
PIEDMONT, AND VAN BUREN
353 PM CST Wed Jan 11 2017

...GUSTY WINDS TO CONTINUE TONIGHT...FREEZING RAIN LIKELY
FRIDAY...

Freezing rain appears likely Friday across portions of southeast
Missouri, southern Illinois and southwest Indiana. The activity
could develop into the area before daybreak. It is expected to
increase Friday morning, and last through the afternoon and then
taper off. Confidence continues to increase the freezing air will
make it as far south as a Greenville Missouri, Marion Illinois,
Princeton Indiana line.

There may be some impacts to travel, especially on bridges,
overpasses, and secondary roads. Sidewalks and parking lots may
become quite slick as well. Elevated surfaces will ice. Expect a
glaze on automobiles. Impacts to power should be minimal.

Meanwhile for tonight, south to southwest winds will gust from 30
to 40 mph at times tonight. This will cause loose objects to blow
around. Travel may be difficult for some high profile vehicles.

This isn't going to be so much of a cold event (like it was a coupla weeks ago) as it will be a dangerous driving event (like it was about a week ago). So please use caution...we didn't even get to report all the wrecks that happened last week because there were so many. DON'T BE A STATISTIC...stay in if you can.

Justin Atteberry

MARION CO., Ill. - The kid who was convicted of assaulting a baby girl at his mother's daycare in Salem is headed to prison for a long, long time.

Justin Atteberry, now 17, was sentenced yesterday (Wednesday, January 11, 2017) to 22.5 years in Illinois Department of Corrections following a plea agreement reached this past summer after having been charged as an adult in the case a little more than a year ago, when he was but 16.

He admitted in December of 2015 to sexually assaulting a 10-month-old infant girl with a Matchbox-type car, leaving her with injuries significant enough to warrant transfer from Salem Township Hospital to Children's Hospital in St. Louis.

Due to the nature of the charge (a Class X felony) and in accordance with Illinois' Juvenile Court Act, Atteberry was charged as an adult, which means that his crime has been publicized and, more importantly, it means that he'll be listed on the state's Sex Offender Registry if and when he is released from DOC. He must serve 85 percent of his sentence under the law, which means he'll have to serve 19 years, one and a half months. However, he was given credit for time served in the Marion County Jail - 394 days - which cuts off a year and a month from that.

Atteberry has yet to be transferred to IDOC.

CARMI, Ill. - Illinois State Police District 19 Commander Captain Cory Ristvedt announced today activity and enforcement figures for calendar year 2016.

Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline and Gallatin counties, recorded 17,456 incidents during the year.

In addition, enforcement figures totaled 6,861 citations and 10,854 written warnings, including 3,239 speeding citations, 98 DUIs, 1,074 seatbelt citations, 69 child restraint citations, 4,293 written warnings for speeding, and 228 criminal arrests.

Troopers also assisted 682 motorists, conducted 2,696 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 407 traffic crashes.

Of those crashes investigated by D19, 14 were fatal traffic crashes resulting in 15 fatalities.

During the year, 4,697 citations and 5,442 written warnings were issued for "Fatal Four" violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include Speeding, DUI, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt and Distracted Driving.

CARMI, Ill. - Carmi Police Chief Jason Carter has submitted information regarding a planned K9 search of the Carmi-White County High School premises yesterday.

Carter said that on Wednesday (January 11, 2017) at about 9:15 a.m., the K9 Detail was conducted and during the detail, K9 units checked the locker areas inside CWCHS  as well as the parking lots and vehicles parked adjacent to the school.

A red 1994 Jeep Cherokee parked on Seventh Street by the school had a positive response from the K9, after the dog "alerted" on the vehicle.

The 17-year-old male student was retrieved from the school, Carter said, and subsequently granted police permission to enter the vehicle.

Once inside the Jeep, officers discovered several items of drug paraphernalia as well as other illegal items.

Some items included cannabis, a smoking pipe with cannabis, alcohol, ammunition and brass knuckles.

Several other items from inside the vehicle were also seized as a result (press information does not indicate what those items were).

The vehicle was towed from the scene and the male was placed under arrest and transported to the Carmi Police Department.

Upon arrival at the PD, the male's parents were notified and they subsequently arrived to find the boy issued citations for Possession of Cannabis less then 10 grams and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was also charged with Illegal Possession of Alcohol by a Minor, Unlawful Use of Weapons, and Unlawful Possession of Ammunition without a valid FOID card.

The boy was released to the custody of his parents.

Carmi PD was assisted by the Edwards County Sheriff's Department K9 Unit as well as the Mt. Carmel Police Department K9 Unit.

CARMI, Ill. - Carmi police had a busy Wednesday yesterday, contending with an accident following brake failure and a shoplifting report at Dollar General in town.

The accident occurred at 704 Sycamore Street, where Jonnie Yates, 78, of Carmi, was traveling southbound in a 1989 Fort LTD in an alley and reported that his brakes failed, and he was unable to stop.

As such, he struck a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am being driven by Kristi Trefftzs, no age given, of Carmi, which was traveling westbound on Sycamore Street.

Yates was ticketed for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident, despite the failed-brakes claim.

Keri Tarrants

Police also worked a shoplifting report Wednesday, happening at Dollar General, located at 1305 W. Main in Carmi.

Folks at the DollGen reported, at about 1:20 p.m., that a woman was concealing items and had left eh store without paying for them.

Authorities responded and took into custody Keri L. Tarrants, 32, of Crossville.

She was charged with misdemeanor Retail Theft and posted $150 cash plus a $20 booking fee and released.

MT. CARMEL, Ill. - Coming on the heels of the big arrest in Allendale earlier this week, authorities made a second bust, this one in Mt. Carmel.

Authorities had stated about the first bust that more were coming.

The second bust occurred Tuesday morning, January 10, 2017, when, at 7:30 a.m., Mt. Carmel Police, Wabash County Sheriff's officials, and agents of the Illinois State Police Southern Illinois Drug Task Force served arrest warrants on two Mt. Carmel residents for Methamphetamine Delivery at 610 Buchanan Street.

Arrested were Charles R. Leek, 33, and Amy L. Wheeler, 40.

They were lodged in the county jail in Mt. Carmel and held on a $25,000 cash bond each.

Authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected.

CENTRALIA, Ill. - Michael Rink, 34, of Centralia, Illinois, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court to a conspiracy to possess and sell stolen firearms, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. Rink faces up to five years in federal prison.

The investigation is being conducted by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Explosives, the Centralia Police Department, along with the Clinton County States Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.

Earl Scott Roark, June 16, 2015

WHITE CO., Ill. - White County had a problem defendant sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections Wednesday after a somewhat lengthy sentencing hearing.

The crim was Earl Scott Roark, 41, of Carmi, whose repeat antics have made him a familiar face in the pages of the print version.

White County State's Attorney Denton Aud advised that Roark was arrested on July 15, 2016. On August 24, 2016, Roark entered open pleas of guilty to a Class 3 felony offense of Possession of Methamphetamine and a Class 4 felony offense of Driving While License Revoked (4-9).

A Class 4 felony offense of Violation of Order of Protection and a Class 4 felony offense of Possession of Controlled Substance were dismissed in exchange for the open pleas of guilty.

Earl Scott Roark, May 10, 2016

Roark, Aud said, had also been allowed to enter substance abuse treatment pending sentencing with the incentive of an agreement that the State would ask for no more than 3 years DOC and the Court agreeing that it would be bound by that cap of 3 years at the sentencing hearing if Roark successfully completed the long term treatment. If Roark left treatment or was otherwise discharged successfully or unsuccessfully, he was ordered to immediately report to the White County Jail for sentencing.

After being unsuccessfully terminated and dismissed from treatment in late September, Roark failed to report back to the White County Jail in violation of the Court order. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was apprehended in Edwards County on December 1, 2016.

Roark was represented by Public Defender Brian Shinkle. Judge T. Scott Webb was the sentencing judge. At the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, Judge Webb imposed the following sentences to run concurrently:

Earl Scott Roark, July 19, 2016

Possession of Methamphetamine, Class 3 felony
-7 years IDOC
-1 year MSR (mandatory supervised release, or parole)

Driving While License Revoked (4-9), Class 4 felony
-5 years DOC
-1 year MSR

The Carmi Police Department was the arresting agency.

Aud said Class 3 felonies typically have a sentencing range of 2-5 years unless the defendant is eligible for an extended term up to 10 years. Class 4 felonies have a standard sentencing range of 1-3 and an extended range up to 6 years. Roark qualified for an extended term based on his history and was sentenced accordingly. The Court also recommended that Roark receive drug treatment while in Illinois DOC custody.

"Mr. Roark sadly squandered a great rare opportunity to complete treatment and receive a shorter prison sentence for his efforts which would have hopefully had Roark pointed in the right direction while also ultimately saving Illinois taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in incarceration costs in a corrections system that is said to be overcrowded with inmates while our State continues to operate in fiscal disarray; instead, Roark's actions mean that he will now appropriately under the law and circumstances be serving an extended term of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections," Aud said. "I would like to commend the Carmi Police Department for their continued terrific professional work, as well as the continued great professional work by the Grayville Police Department who was responsible for apprehending Mr. Roark."

LAWRENCE CO., Ill. - Illinois State Police have released the name of a young man who lost his life in Lawrence County yesterday morning, Thursday, January 12, 2017.

ISP said the victim in the single-vehicle crash was Dillon J. Boger, 23, of Vincennes, Indiana.

Troopers from District 12 assisted local authorities with the wreck.

ISP said the accident occurred at approximately 10:35 a.m., when a black 2014 Dodge Avenger Boger was driving eastbound on U.S. 50 approximately a half-mile west of Lawrence County Road 1720 East went off the road in heavy rain.

The vehicle left the roadway to the right in the vicinity of Automotive Technology Systems (ATS), traveled approximately 230 feet, turning clockwise, and went down the south side embankment of 50, striking a tree.

Coroner Shannon Steffey was called, and Boger was pronounced dead at the scene.

Taryn Sadler

CARMI, Ill. - Carmi police made a traffic stop yesterday that resulted in the arrest and charging of a Grayville woman.

Press information from Carmi Police Chief Jason Carter shows that yesterday morning (Thursday, January 12) at three minutes til 9, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle being driven by Taryn S. Sadler, 24, of Grayville.

The arresting officer said Sadler was spotted, and subsequently arrested, on Main Street in Carmi.

She was taken to the city-county jail without incident, booked, and posted $150 plus a $20 booking fee and released.

There's no word of how she left the jail.